Aubagio in people at risk of MS

A trial of Aubagio (teriflunomide) in people following a first clinical episode suggestive of MS found the drug reduced the loss of brain tissue (atrophy) and delayed the onset of clinically definite MS

Cladribine

An analysis of study results for cladribine in just those people with highly active MS found that they had a greater reduction in the risk of progression and had fewer relapses than seen in the overall study

Gilenya

Results from MS-MRIUS (Multiple sclerosis and clinical outcome and MRI in the US) study of Gilenya (fingolimod) in a real world setting found three out of five participants achieved NEDA-3 (no relapses, no new lesions no disability progression) and a third achieved NEDA-4 (those three measures plus reduced brain tissue loss).

Lemtrada long-term data

Six year follow up studies found that two out of three people who hadn't previously used a disease modifying drug (DMD) only required a two year course of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab). In a trial where people had previously had unsuccessful DMD treatment, half only needed the two year course. In year 6, almost three quarters were free of disability worsening and 43% of these showed an improvement lasting six months.

Opicinumab

A trial compared myelin repair in people with relapsing or secondary progressive MS taking either opicinumab (anti-LINGO-1) or Avonex (beta interferon 1a). Although the trial was negative and showed no significant difference, researchers identified younger people with relapsing MS and short disease duration as better responders and plan to focus further research on them

Siponimod

A study found siponimod reduced the risk of three-month confirmed disability progression by 21% and six-month confirmed disability progression by 26% compared to placebo. It also reduced the annualized relapse rate by a little over half

NEDA challenged

New study shows evidence that despite being classed at having no evidence of disease activity (NEDA), some people still had worsening scores for fatigue, time to walk 25 feet and in more details brain scans

Measuring disease activity in progressive MS

Researchers suggest a way to expand the idea of NEDA to make it more relevant as a marker for people with progressive MS. As well as no relapses, no new lesions and no increase in EDSS, NEPAD adds in increase of 20% of more in 9-hole peg test and 25-foot walk. Ocrelizumab did well on this new measure vs placebo (29.9% v 9.4%)

Predicting risk of conversion to SPMS

A study recruited people who had had relapsing remitting MS for at least 15 years. When they were reviewed five years later, those who reported fatigue and lower limb problems at the start of the trial were more likely to have developed secondary progressive MS

Risk factors for MS in children and teenagers

Researchers found that children with MS were more likely to have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes glandular fever) and herpes simplex virus. They were also more likely to have lower levels of vitamin D